Iran downs U.S. jets as tensions rise over Hormuz

Iran said its Islamic Revolutionary Guard shot down two U.S. military fighter jets on Friday, April 4, 2026, over Iranian territory, in an incident that intensified an already active conflict between the two countries. The aircraft identified in the report were an F-15 fighter jet and an A-10 Warthog.

The repoSources said the F-15 carried a two-person crew who ejected after the aircraft was hit. One of those crew members was rescued, while the other was reported missing in Iran. The pilot of the A-10 Warthog was described as safely rescued.

The shootdowns came less than 48 hours after former U.S. President Donald Trump made public claims about U.S. dominance in the air over the region. On Tuesday, April 1, 2026, Trump said Iran had “no anti-aircraft equipment” and that its radar capabilities were “100% annihilated,” according to the account. The latest incident has increased attention on the White House’s credibility regarding its assessments of Iranian military capabilities, the repoSources said.

The downing of the jets occurred during a conflict that has already produced significant casualties on both sides, based on the figures provided. The report put the toll at at least 13 U.S. military service member deaths and more than 1,900 Iranian casualties.

The broader confrontation has also centered on the Strait of Hormuz, described as a critical chokepoint for approximately one-fifth of the world’s oil supply. Iran previously closed the strait after the conflict began, according to the report, raising the stakes for global energy markets and international shipping routes that depend on the passage.

Trump had issued an ultimatum for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz by April 6, 2026, and threatened severe repercussions if that deadline was not met, the repoSources said. With the April 6 date approaching, the shootdowns add urgency to diplomatic and military decision-making tied to the strait’s status and the safety of personnel involved in the conflict.

Key details remain unresolved, including the fate and location of the missing F-15 crew member reported to be in Iran. The report did not provide additional information on the circumstances of the rescues or on any immediate next steps by either side following the incident.